The immunity an individual develops after acquiring an infection is called

Appeared in: NHM UP Staff Nurse-2021 Shift-1st

Explanation

Active immunity is the resistance developed by an individual's own immune system.
It is triggered in response to an antigen, which can be from a natural infection or a vaccine.
This process involves the production of specific antibodies and the creation of immunological memory cells (B and T lymphocytes).
The presence of memory cells allows for a faster and stronger immune response upon subsequent exposure to the same pathogen, often providing long-term or lifelong protection.

Option B: Passive immunity involves receiving pre-made antibodies from another source, not producing them. The individual's immune system is not actively engaged.
Option C: Herd immunity is a form of indirect protection for a community, not an immune response developed by a single individual after an infection.
Option D: This option is incorrect because passive and herd immunity do not describe the process of an individual developing immunity after being infected.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Safe nursing care depends on performing Types of Acquired Immunity in the correct sequence, documenting the action clearly, and monitoring for the expected response.
Understanding the difference between active and passive immunity is fundamental for nurses in patient education regarding vaccinations, disease prevention, and treatment with immunoglobulins.
Nurses administer vaccines (inducing artificial active immunity) and immunoglobulins (providing artificial passive immunity) and must explain the benefits and duration of protection to patients and families.
What if the patient was immunocompromised? An immunocompromised patient may not be able to mount an effective active immune response to an infection or vaccine. They might require passive immunity (e.g., immunoglobulin therapy) for protection.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key phrase in the question: 'immunity...develops after acquiring an infection'.
Analyze the term 'develops'. This implies the body is actively creating something.
Analyze the term 'acquiring an infection'. This is a natural exposure to a pathogen.
Recall the definitions of the different types of immunity.
Active immunity: The body actively produces its own antibodies.
Passive immunity: The body passively receives antibodies from an external source.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart A (pp 26-201 of 604) p. 95-97

E6 Physiology Essentials Sembulingam 10e Part 1 p. 126-128

Practise the full NHM UP Staff Nurse-2021 Shift-1st

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.